Taylors 1873 44 40 range review and accuracy test

[@philipsteele5704]

I have had around 35 years of experience with the 44wcf, love this one as well as the 38wcf. You are doing it the best way, keep playing around with the loads and you will learn what you need to know. Keep it going and we will enjoy watching.

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

What is your powder of choice? The 2400 load is too hot but I have room to reduce the charge. The universal load seems to work great not sure I want to spend a ton. of time testing other loads. Thanks for the comment

[@thomascampbell4480]

Beautiful 1873. Appreciate the load development process. The idea of carrying this rifle in your scabbard along with a single action while on your horse is fantastic. I like the lever actions and revolver combinations. Good job with the 44-40.

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

Thanks for the positive feedback I will be doing some videos on the mountain with the horses in the next month or two. Cattle gathering season is just around the corner.

[@876mpr]

Just a guess that I can’t prove, but I’d say a deeper seated 240 grain jacketed bullet at 1050 is probably as warm or warmer than a 200 grain cast bullet at 1350. That Universal load looks really good. I don’t know why Hodgdon is hiding it from us.

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

I would agree with you. I am sticking to the 200 gr moving forward

[@ofreen]

I bought a Cimarron '73 in .45 Colt a couple of years ago. Great rifle, accuracy is very good with my HiTek coated cast bullets, but I wish now I had gotten the same rifle in 44-40. Everything in the '73 (and the 1892) works better with the bottleneck cartridges. Looks like your rifle has a good chamber. The fired case has a well-defined neck. I've seen other 44-40s where the fired case looks like a straight wall case because of a sloppy chamber. Nice video.

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

The 45 colt works in the 1873 I thought it would be fun in the 44-40. I think the modern manufacture reproductions are very well made, Thanks for the great comment

[@furmanmackey5479]

I really enjoyed this video! It included both modern and "classic" cartridge loadings fired out of a lever gun design that is considered "weak" by many. I'm sure if you pushed your loads too far even the modern production rifle featured in this video would develop problems....The kind of problems that would hurt...A LOT! Since I have reason to believe I will never be able to afford a real .44-40 with the correct bore size and since loaded ammo and even correct reloading components can be challenges to locate, I'll probably end up pulling the trigger, so to speak, and buying a used Rossi or Marlin chambered in .44Spl/.44Mag and handloading rounds in the .44-40 range to scratch that itch. Based on what I was told by hunters and gun store/pawn and gun shop personnel, while The Lovely Bride and I were still living in the Peoples Republic of Maryland, the .44-40 was still a very popular caliber and Winchester ruled the deer rife market well into the 20th century and only saw a major decline as a deer hunting rifle/cartridge combination once high speed, low drag magnum rounds launched by bolt action rifles came along. Of course, I would also love to have lever guns in .38-40, .38-55, .45-70 and maybe even .50-110 along with being the sole winner in the "Biggun' Lottery". As is, I'm dancing around the idea of having a pristine U.S. produced Model 94 in .30-30 converted to .38-55 to scratch that itch since I have a perfectly functional and very accurate old "JM" Marlin 336SC in .30-30 too. Keep the great videos coming!

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

Thanks for the great comment A good Marlin 30-30 is hard to beat for sure Thanks for watching

[@swampdonkeyoffgrid190]

Don’t know about the dillon dies but i have gone to the lee crimp dies and i have never looked back, use them for 30-30 and straighteall pistol and am very pleased. 👊🏻

[@azcoueshntr]

I’ve got 3 44-40’s. All uberti, Schofield, 1860 Henry and 1873 24” octagonal. All shoot good but seem to prefer unique powder with 8 grains & a .428 desperado bullet (20:1 mix) I also have molds by Lyman, rcbs & Lee. Black powder works really well too and is super easy to clean because of the seal of the thin case wall. The problem with unique powder is its position sensitive. With the powder against the bullet I’d get 1500 fps and 1200 against the primer. Lately I’ve tried 2400 as well and triple 7 fffg, both need more testing. I’m 10 years older than you so enjoy the journey. The 44-40 is a wonderful round to experiment with.

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

The universal powder seems to be the one I am leaning toward now. It feels like the universal and unique have very similar burns rates. I am not sure about position sensitivity. Do you have any experience with that?? The IMR 4227 and 2400 are very similar too. Thanks for the great comment

[@azcoueshntr]

@@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699 I don’t have any experience with Universal. Unique dried up here in Phoenix for the last 4-5 years so I experiment with what’s available. Triple 7 3f seems to always be around and 25 grains of that gets about 1325fps in the 1873 accuracy is ok not great. I only shoot black in the 1860. The Schofield chambers are so particular I’d go with a colt clone like Pietta now days. I tried 2400 earlier this year and it showed potential. Take care.

[@ramonscheffer2510]

I use mainly LOS .429 240gn rnfp coperplated bullets.( these have no crimp grove) I use to have some bullets shuving in the cases once everywhile, but now i stopped cleaning the inside of the casing and with a good crimp from my RCBS die set this does not happen anymore. I do load a maximum of 6 rounds in the tube. With cast bullets .427/8 200gn with a crimpgrove i will load a full tube. I reload the 240gn copperplated and the cast bullets 200gn with lovex D032 6-6.5gn and D036 7-7.5 gn but now i foundout that 7 to 7.5 gn of Swiss RS14 powder groups even better . This is a very bulky powder and a excellent BP load replacement ( also much lower pressures). I only look for a good grouping load as i mainly shoot at 100meters , i do not messure the fps. Have fun with your levergun greatings from europe 😎

[@terrell48]

We do things because it brings us pleasure, the Uberti single action handguns are great , I love my Ruger vaqueros in 45 LC , I have two of the old models, the only Uberti I have now is a 357 but have owned several in 45 close much fun

[@Wblair8772]

Love the .44 WCF. 8.0 gr Unique or 35 gr 3F over a 200-225 grain cast will get about 1300 fps in my Miroku 24” 1873, a bit less in a model 92 SRC and 960 in a 4 3/4” SAA. 1300 fps in a 24” barrel was the old standard load. So much fun 🎉🎉

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

I think unique and universal are about the same burn rate. Both have been very hard to come by recently. I think I am going the stick with the universal load I. can't wait to get a matching six gun to go with this 1873 Thanks for the great comment

[@Wblair8772]

@@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699 I’ve always been able to get Unique and there is lot’s of load data for using it for cast loads in cartridge guns, so that’s what I’ve stuck with. No doubt universal will work just as good and perhaps better. The .44 WCF really shines with black powder in a rifle as it seals the chamber and the rifle action gets minimal fouling. Plus the boom is wonderful. Enjoy your 1873.

[@henryschmidt636]

Great video. Dont apologize for the length. I prefer longer vids and getting to know you. I think your dream of riding the range with a matched pair is fantastic. My dream match is a 1911 and Thompson carbine. You are living the dream, the Utah cowboy way.......

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

Thanks for the great comment I too want a Thompson not sure why? The Ruger LC carbine in 45 is pretty close Thanks for watching

[@kevinmarrett9532]

I have a Thompson and a 1911. It is fun but be prepared to spend money to have it worked on to run right and set it up right. The stock 16 inch barrel is ridiculous so you have to pay to make it an SBR, pay for a good quality barrel in the proper 10.5 inch length, pay to have a qualified Thompson gunsmith install it, and pay to get good magazines/have the action worked on to make it feed reliably. And in the end it’s still a 12 pound chunk of solid steel. To be clear, I absolutely love it and I’m glad I bought it. But I knew what I was getting into when I started. Hope you get to have your dream gun too!

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

@@kevinmarrett9532 The end product sounds fun Now sure about the journey Thanks for the comment

[@TheMurds65]

Chris great shooting and load development. All rifleman shooting that level gun would be happy with those groups. Back in the day when I loaded for the 44 WCF I used Alliants Red, Blue, and Green Dot, also Unique and Bullseye. I had great results with those powders. Your videos are very informative with great content. Please keep up with the great work. Do you load for the 44 Special? Thats a great round thats under appreciated.

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

The Alliant powders are very good but not available. I have some red dot and some unique but limited amounts. I have not seen a regular supply of Alliant anything for many years. I have loaded for the 44 special. I once owned a real colt new frontier SAA in the 44 special. Wow that thing was a piece of junk. I like the special but I have. so many 44 mags I just use the mag case as not to get them mixed up. My everyday load with 44 mag is a home cast real Keith bullet going about 900fps. I can use universal, red dot or titegroup and get the same results. 'Right now I move titegroup than anything. Thanks for you positive comment

[@TheMurds65]

@@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699 Chris you are right about Alliant powders. They are scarce. I few months ago I was lucky and was able to pick up a couple of 8 and 4 pounders of Red Dot, Unique, Bullseye, and Power Pistol from Natchez and Midsouth Shooters Supply. It wasn't cheap!!!! It had been a several years that those powders where available. I did spend more money than I wanted to, but it was worth it.

[@jeffryrichardson9105]

Gus uses a sight like that in the movie Lonesome Dove ! 👍🏽😊❤️🇺🇸

[@jimpage6533]

I bought a reproduction HENRY many years ago in 44-40 and I have been reloading some rounds for it today. I just found some Starline brass from Midway USA this afternoon and ordered some because it has become hard to find . I am trying to get a reproduction S&W Schofield with a 5" barrel in 44-40 so I'll have a combo of 44-40's. Just haven't gotten together enough nickles and dies yet!

[@10CowRanch-gn1iy]

The Henry and Schofield sounds like a great combo. Thanks for the comment

[@haroldmartin4547]

Have a 1873 Uberti in 38-40 WCF, would like to own a 44-40 WCF also. Enjoyed the video👍👍

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

@@haroldmartin4547 thanks for the positive comment. They are fun for sure. I like the 38 40 too. Thanks for watching

[@JeRKII]

Leaving a comment to help your algorithms. Looked up your other channel but I'm not a farmer so not sure it's really something for me but because they are what appears to be all shorter videos I will at least go watch some

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

@@JeRKII thanks for your support

[@thealsatian4232]

I have a similar carbine chambered in.44 Special. But I suspect that the chamber is actually reamed to .44 Magnum.

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

The 44 special is a great cartridge too. Thanks for watching

[@russmichael1165]

Hi Chris, enjoyed your video. I'm not a reloader and turned 70 today so it's too late to start. i have 5 lever action rifles, none however with the ladder sight like on your 44 40. would it be possible to do a video showing how it works at different distances? Thank you Chris.

[@luvtahandload7692]

Happy birthday! It's never too late to start reloading! Get a Lee 4-hole turret press with an extra turret for each round you shoot and the dies and you will be extremely gratified.

[@boydsteenblock1328]

I see a crossover video coming. 10 Cow Ranch / Badlands Ballistics.

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

You are correct I usually spend some time on the mountain in the fall gathering cows. I will have to take the 1873 with. me.

[@luvtahandload7692]

Will the roll crimp shoulder in a standard 44 Mag seating die roll the mouth over enough to ensure positive feeding and hold the bullet securely? Lee also offers rifle-style collet factory crimp dies for magnum revolver rounds now.

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

I am using a Dillion crimp die from a 44 mag set. It is a separate crimp die. I know Lee factory crimp die work very well on most applications Thanks for watching

[@bayouknivesandoutdoors501]

I have the same rifle imported by Navy Arms

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

I think still made by Uberti Should be a great rifle Thanks for watching

[@peteralexben]

slug the barrel to see what caliber it is ,and use the right dia bullet . , the neck tension depends also on the case strenght , expander dia must be little undersize to get the bullet thight , crimping wil not do it a lee factory crimp die can crimp outside the cannelure.

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

I am using .4295 home cast bullets. I know all modern manufacture 44-40 are using 429 barrels. Thanks for your comment

[@jimmywarren6685]

Did the cast bullets lead the barrel any?

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

They shouldn't The powder coating helps with that Thanks for watching

[@jimmywarren6685]

@@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699 I didn't see the powder coating...I have been powder coating mine for years...the only way to go. I love your channel and the things you do...GREAT JOB!!

[@10CowRanch-gn1iy]

The coating is a grey color. Looks like lead. Haha. Thanks for the positive feedback

[@terrell48]

A hundred and forty years ago plenty deer were shot with those black powder loads and the deer can only get so dead , heck they probably killed a big elk, moose or bison with those loads

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

Yes I agree with you I think in those days most shots were much closer. Thanks for watching

[@BigRooster616]

You do know that that Barrel is 430 not 427 427 is the old diameter of the 4440 with since everything has been standardized to use the same as the 44 Magnum the same as the 44 magnum that Barrel is actually 430

[@chrisevansgunshorsesranchi699]

Yes I do know but thanks for clearing that for the viewers. I am using a home cast bullet that measures .4295 powder coated. I am glad modern manufactures are using the 429 barrels. Thanks for the great comment

[@randyadams03]

Great addition to channel , now a 1873 SAA in 44 WCF . Find Western Heritage with Todd Kesner YT. HE compares 44WCF and 45Colt Ballistics. Good stuff thank you. Great weekend. Perfect sense.

[@10CowRanch-gn1iy]

Thanks for the comment I have been following Todd's channel for a while now. He does a great job. Thanks for watching